Benteke ruled out for six weeks

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has revealed striker Christian Benteke could be out for up to six weeks after suffering a hip injury in Saturday's win over Norwich.

Benteke will not be rushed back into action.

Scans confirmed the Belgium international will miss between four and six weeks of action as he recovers from the knock, although there were concerns that Villa could be without their star for even longer.

Lambert insists Benteke's set back is not too serious and has backed Villa's other strikers to step up in his absence.

"It's not as bad as we feared," Lambert said. "He will be out for maybe four, five or six weeks - and that includes the international break. We spoke to the medical people and considered the worst case scenario but he's feeling a lot better. It's just a muscle injury, not too severe.

"The others have to relish the challenge of covering for him now. The best way to react to this defeat is to bounce back with a win."

Paul Lambert confirms Christian Benteke will be out for four-six weeks. Better news than he first feared. #AVFC